Doing it Right: The Electric Run

December 3, 2012August 14, 2013Leave a comment

When it comes to running, let me be the first to tell you that it’s neither my forte nor something I’ve been interested in for very long. I grew up playing basketball, volleyball and swimming – nothing that required running long distances or for extended periods of time. But then, last spring – something weird happened: my tried and true GTI 1.8T decided to have a crisis of faith and stop working. Transitioning to bipedalism wasn’t the biggest issue in the world; when I moved into my apartment last year, one of the first things I looked up was the “walk-ability” of the neighborhood and was pleasantly surprised that the area had a score of 91 out of 100 – meaning daily errands don’t require a car. Instead of driving to get produce or supplies for the apartment, I was walking here there and everywhere; except for one minor detail – the gym. Not being a runner, I was at a loss for a few days…I would run the stairs in the apartment, go for long walks or do some yoga; unfortunately for me, it just wasn’t the same. So, I did the unthinkable: I started running.

I started slow and steady by running a bit then walking it off; slowly, I worked up to changing the ratio – running for a mile, walking a few blocks, then running another mile. And then the strangest thing happened – I started falling in love with the balance of breath and movement, grace and growth. I didn’t have an end goal when I started, but through social media channels I found out about something fabulous called the Electric Run – a 5Kfunrun that’s best described as the illegitimate child of a rave and a half marathon; and to boot, the inaugural one was essentially going to be in my backyard – Orange County.

Over 10,000 people signed up to be part of this ridiculously fun – and incredibly well run – event. The premise was that the entire 5K course was adorned with lights, lasers and speakers blasting some of the best EDM currently around while participants decked out in their favorite glow and neon outfits frolicked around the track. There were families and there were rambunctious teenagers; there were people determined to run their hearts out and others who just wanted to take it in and dance. Before the run, we were all handed an official T-Shirt and some glow gear of our very own – and others dressed to the 9’s in LEDs, EL-wire and their very own outfit creations (we even saw a ‘ma5 head!). Employees of the Electric Run were scattered around with cups of water and high fives of encouragement and at the finish line we were showered with granola bars, cheap shots of whiskey and a live performance from DJ’s Sultan and Ned Shepherd. You were basically welcome to enjoy the intersection of exercise and playtime anytime you wanted. I had an absolute blast running around with my friends and taking it all in – if the Electric Run comes to your city, hop on it like it’s your job!

Sprinting to the end…

Sultan & Ned Shepherd

Doing it Right: Crystal Bridges Museum of Art

November 16, 2012August 14, 20132 Comments

One of the highlights of my trip to Arkansas was visiting the fabulous Crystal Bridges Museum of Art. According to my coworkers in Arkansas, there was an uproar in the art community when the facility was built – housing works from Pollock, Lichtenstein, Warhol and Rockwell, many people from dense metropolitan areas were up in arms that a small town in the south would be graced with these wonderful collections. I think that’s absolutely ridiculous! I don’t think there is a single person that doesn’t appreciate art and culture within their own scope, and to think it’s appropriate to deny these works to any part of our population is insane. Before my trip, I didn’t have a rhyme or reason to want to be in the south – but between the hospitality and warmth of the people, the beauty of the silence and the seasons, the effing amazing food and the art and culture, I wouldn’t mind going back!

These are some of the highlights from my trip to Crystal Bridges, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Tom Uttech – Enassamishhinjijweian
Translation from Ojibwe Indian Tribe: Hope of Good Things to Come

Emma Marie Cadwalder-Guild – Free

James Henry Beard – “It’s Very Queer, Isn’t It?”

Thomas Eakins – Professor Benjamin Howard Rand

Norman Rockwell – Rosie The Riveter

Andy Warhol – Dolly Parton

Roy Lichtenstein – Standing Explosion Red

Max Ferguson – Time

Doing It Right: HARD Presents – Day of the Dead

November 8, 2012August 14, 2013Leave a comment

I think I’m finally on the verge of recovery from last weekend’s shenanigans – in typical Bouncy Kitty fashion, I more than enjoyed myself at the Music Festival last Saturday. Sure, there were lines and there was pushing, it took forever to get in and then there were a clusterfuck of people – but that all comes with the territory of festival dwelling and was more or less expected. Between the chaos and the camaraderie, I had such an amazing night with some of my closest friends – here are some of the highlights:

First of all, not to toot our costume horn but beepm’f’in’beep, my friends! The other weekend a zany, but plausible idea popped into my head in the middle of a brainstorming sesh: My friends and I were discussing our habitual Halloween “fall back” costumes, and a few of us admitted it was actually our “Plan A” every year and mine just happens to be a kitty cat (shocker…). Well, because we were going to ‘Day of the Dead‘ I thought it’d be fun to incorporate some morbidity into our costumes – so, obviously, I opted for “Dead Cat”…which turned into “Dead Animals”…which somehow turned into “Hey, guys! Let’s be ROADKILL!” I knew I loved my friends before, but I adore them 150% more because they went along with my ridiculously awesome idea.

Sexy Pieces of Dead Ass

The next highlight of the evening was getting a chance to finally see Miss Maya Jane Coles in action – as much as this was a personal highlight, it doesn’t begin to tell you how effing excited all my friends were. She was the sole reason they bought their tickets and fended off the damn bike fences – hands down, one of the best deep house sets I’ve heard all year and according to my friends it was 110% completely worth it.

One thing I love about using LA State Historic Park as a venue is the ample stage space for ostentatious set-ups. The Earstorm Stage where Knife Party ripped the festival a new one was no exception – it was huge, fabulous and stocked to the brim with more lights and lasers than I could count.

EARStorm Stage: Knife Party, Kill the Noise, Tommy Trash, Zane Lowe….

Last – but certainly far from least – I FINALLY SAW KNIFE PARTY! When Knife Party came into the scene last year I didn’t know how to feel or what to expect from their evolution as a group – but the more I listen to them, the more enthralled I am by what they produce: this melodic dissonance that I simply can’t get enough of.

Knife Party – Save the World

Knife Party – Internet Friends

Doing it Right: Halloween, Disney Style!

October 31, 2012August 14, 20133 Comments

A few years ago, I was on the hunt for a career change – and I consider myself uberlucky because the career change actually found me. I was working as a Data Analyst for a great firm, but only at Part Time – Walt Disney Studios, at the time with a contracted position, asked me if I would like a spot on their Space Planning Team and I jumped at the chance to not only leave my current job but work with some of the best and brightest in the entertainment industry.

The holidays here are celebrated in style, but most of all – Halloween is the coveted centerpiece of all the grand holidays. And, if there’s one thing we here at Disney know how to do – it’s play dressup! When I walked into work initially, I was a tad disappointed by the lack of holiday spirit – but as the day waned on, I noticed more and more fabulous group, individual and little kid costumes. The happiest place on earth today was definitely our lot!

Halloween Decorations =)

Ariel, Miss Devil and Woody

I’ve got an Angel on my shoulder, but a Devil in my head…

Hands down, best costume was the Mad Hatter!

Our LOVELY Starbucks Crew! ❤

Cotton Candy for lunch – #JUDGEME

Causing trouble, per usual…

Doing it Right: Stay Classy, San Diego

October 1, 2012August 14, 20132 Comments

Once again, I’ve fallen head over heals for the city of San Diego. At this point, I don’t even know if I can help it – the air is fresh and breathable, the restaurants are equally affordable and delicious, and everyone is super friendly! For the past week and a half this little kitten has been going through some things and it getting out of town felt like one of the healthier options to remedy my emotional state. So, a few friends and I said sayonara to the city of angels and hellllllo weekend of sun, fun and relaxation!

Sunset in San Diego

I was excited about taking off a little early from work and beating the rush, but apparently I hadn’t thought this out very well because unfortunately for me, and everyone else trying to leave the city, Carmageddon pt 2 had begun. The combination of rush hour traffic coupled with the impending doom of closing the 405 Freeway between the 101 and the 10 was enough to dissuade the average bear from heading on the road, so it’s a splendid thing for me that I am anything but average! I rolled down my windows, plugged in my iPod shuffle, turned up the sound and drowned out the world. In a flash I was brought back to high school; my friends and I would pile into my GTI (RIP) with our electronic music blaring and call ourselves the the techno gnomes. The drive down was cathartic, but mostly because I had been having a one girl car rave. I didn’t make it to San Diego until after the sun had set, but I was greeted by a ridiculously scrumptious home cooked meal a la one of my best friends; whoever said you can get to someones heart through their stomach has an excellent point.

Saturday morning started off with just the right amount of laziness; we idled around the apartment all morning, preparing ourselves for an afternoon adventure at sea. Around 1, we trucked bags upon bags of beer, wine and snackables into our cars and headed off to Harbor Island and get our yacht on. Little ol’me was under the impression that there was a person cap on the ‘boat’ we were taking out. Uhm, no. Instead there were seven silly sailors and one very impressive aquadog, accompanied by an amazing captain that was immediately dubbed ‘Captain Ron‘. I have to throw in a disclaimer that I am so blessed with amazing opportunities through amazing people; what an experience!

We gallivanted around the water, taking our time to really breathe it all in; though we’re only ballers on a budget, I think when given the opportunity it’s only right to act like the real thing. So, first things first, and very naturally to us – we popped a bottle of bubbly as we got out into the deep blue water. We blasted 80’s music and sang along like it was our job, dancing between the rooms and floors – we all had this up-to-no-good, shit-eating-grin plastered to our face the entire time.

We had intentions of going out on the town and dancing the night away, but sunshine and day drinking are a ridiculously exhausting combination. It didn’t take much convincing to don some relaxing duds and stick it out in the apartment for the rest of the night.

In the morning we took to Yelp to see what sorts of foods we could get ourselves into – my friends who I was staying with recommended an adorable gastropub in Little Italy called Craft & Commerce. From the second we walked in, I fell in lust with the place – there are quotes everywhere: from the neon sign at the front, chalked up walls and engraved benches that say cute quotes and silly things like “PS I’m touching your ass.” Even the menu is worth a hoot or two, check out what they say about books. We somehow managed to go at that strange inbetween hour where it’s definitely not brunch or lunch anymore but it’s too early to be dinner; so we did the predictable thing and made our own happy hour. It was the perfect way to round out an already amazing weekend.

Doing it Right: All Day We Dream of Cities and Angels

September 23, 2012August 14, 2013Leave a comment

Over the last few months, I’ve managed to both migrate friend groups and music scenes; if you know much about LA you’ll realize that these are more or less the same thing. In Los Angeles, your taste in music and culture – apart from everything else – are truly what separates you from the rest of the bunch, essentially dictating which of the multitudes of subcultures you belong to. Though I have a firm and steady love for all things music – especially electronic, for the past few years I’ve been listening to a lot of trance, house and drum & bass. Well, about five months ago the trajectory of my life shifted – I started wavering away from my former group of friends into unfamiliar territory: the co-mingling worlds of deephouse and techhouse. Sure, I’d been to a few underground parties in the past but this was so different. My friends were essentially spoon feeding me music, events and DJs like I was a newborn child. I’ve always told my friends that the best way to experience a new type of music or new DJ is to see them live – and now I can say for a fact this is true.

Looking back at all the wonderful events I went to this Summer, I can tell you with 110% certainty that my favorite was ‘All Day I Dream of LA Sky‘ with Lee Burridge and Matthew Dekay. I went with a few of my new, close friends (remember: I’m excellent at this fastfriend thing) after an epic birthday weekend in Ojai. To be honest, I had no expectations because I didn’t know what to expect. But there were beautiful people sprawled out across the parking-lot-rooftop-turned-dancefloor, gorgeous light fixtures of all colors swaying with the slight breeze and the music – oh, the music. And I couldn’t be more thrilled, because they’re bringing the party back to Los Angeles one more time….today! As I type this, I’m getting all sorts of goosebumps reminiscing about just how amazing the last show was and this giddy feeling is developing in my heart, is it time to dance yet?! If you want to see what you missed last go around, just take a gander at the video below!

The Audiofiles: Ready for the Weekend

September 13, 2012August 14, 2013Leave a comment

Live music might be one of my favorite things in the history of ever. I know that’s a bold blanket statement, but believe you me – I stick by it 100%. Whether it’s Folk, Indie, Rock, Hip Hop, World Music or Electro – there’s nothing quite like the live experience. I eat up the energy in the crowd like it’s my job and the music fills me up like a balloon; it’s one of the only times I can say that yes – I’m truly satisfied with my surroundings.

Last weekend was no different than any other weekend for me; bouncing around from location to location, experiencing so many different types of music. On Friday night, I went and enjoyed Beats Antique, Bones, Russ Liquid and Jeremy Sole at Club Nokia thanks to the Do Lab; with that much it was such a phenomenal display of musicianship, bouncing from electronic world fusion to glitch and trap. Saturday, I found myself at Dim Mak studios in Hollywood getting my Superfreq on to some amazing deep house and tech house sounds and then ended my night at the infamous Secret Cinema, a warehouse party that doesn’t start until 1 am and doesn’t end…well, ever. And things were finally wrapped up that evening at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood for some typical Sunday Funday shenanigans. Each event boasted a completely different type of sound, crowd and vibe – and that is one of the reasons I love this city: there are so many nuanced, musical subcultures that there’s literally something for everyone to enjoy.And now, being Thursday – it’s time once again to prepare ourselves to take on the weekend; these are the songs that are currently getting me excited for the clock to hit 5pm tomorrow night…